College Park Loses an Institution in Jack Perry

Colleagues of former city councilman Jack Perry said they often disagreed with him, but his love for the city ran deep.

Longtime City Councilman John Edward “Jack” Perry of Berwyn—a man of strong convictions, conservative politics, and a love of family and community—died Monday morning, at the age of 69. Just months after retiring from council, he succumbed to the liver cancer he battled since 2009. During his 26 years on the council, Perry became known as a watchdog for taxpayer money who spoke bluntly and often dissented from the majority vote, though he always provided the rationale for his beliefs. "Yes, a lot of times I didn't agree with people here," Perry said at his last council meeting in December. "But you have to have a 'nay' vote ... If you weren't making waves, you weren't moving." He was honored at a reception that month, when so many leaders…

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Arthur Dorman, Former 21st Delegation Legislator, Dies at 85

Dorman was centrally involved in designating the University of Maryland at College Park as the flagship campus of the system.

Friends, Family Remember Pat Anita Eamsureya

The University of Maryland student from Thailand was the "epitome of happy."

The University of Maryland fall semester started with one less smiling face on campus. “There was not a single person that did not love Pat. She was always smiling and always loving,” Tam Nguyen said soon after his friend, Pat Anita Eamsureya, was discovered dead in her on-campus apartment in July. Eamsureya, an international student from Thailand, is described by her friends and family as one who was endlessly enthusiastic about life. She was 19 years old. “We all loved her for loving life,” Nguyen said. From Thailand to Maryland Eamsureya was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand. An avid traveler, it was fitting that she chose to study abroad. Nguyen met her soon after she arrived at the University of Maryland in August 2010 to start her…

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A Closer Look at the Life of Justin DeSha-Overcash

By Alex Pyles/CNS

Warminster, Pa. - Justin DeSha-Overcash's mother said a neighbor told her that her son's truck was rarely parked outside his College Park home. Karen DeSha wasn't surprised to hear that; her son was determined, she said, and was busy trying to complete a double major in physics and astronomy at the University of Maryland. In a constant struggle to make enough money for tuition and rent, he worked three part-time jobs, including as a tutor and a teaching assistant. "He had to grow up real quick," said his father, Randy Overcash -- especially after Overcash was laid off by a company that had only recently promoted him to vice president, and the flagging economy cut into DeSha's real estate commissions. Not that their son complained. "He'd …

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At Funeral, Schaefer Remembered for His Dedication to Baltimore

The service began at 11 a.m. at Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church on North Charles Street.

UPDATE (5:45 p.m.)—Both inside and outside Old Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday, William Donald Schaefer was remembered by powerful politicians and average people alike as a leader whose passion, quirks and determination helped restore pride in his native Baltimore. Hundreds of people crowded into the downtown church on North Charles Street to celebrate the life of a man who became the fiercely protective father of modern day Baltimore. People of all races, religions and politics gathered to honor “a giant of a man,” as his longtime aide Lainy LeBow-Sachs called him in her eulogy. But no matter how outsized his political persona became, Schaefer’s greatest strength, according to U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, was that “he was one of…

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Daily PatchCast

Patch Cast: Blue Skies, American Art, New Jobs and Train Tragedy

Prince George's County news for April 21.

Here's a look at today's headlines around Prince George's County:

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Daily PatchCast

Patch Cast: Health Discussion, Public Safety Forum, New Business in Hyattsville and Mourning a Tragic Loss in Riverdale Park

The April 7 news round up in Prince George's County.

Here are today's headlines:

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UPDATE: Memorial Arrangements Made for Hyattsville Firefighter

Jimmy Hook, a longtime Hyattsville firefighter, died suddenly Wednesday night.

Update 2:43 p.m.: The Fire-EMS Department Memorial Service for former Hyattsville volunteer firefighter James "Jimmy" Thomas Hook will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (Station 855). “Chief Hook was one of those rare individuals who embodied the public safety spirit within us all. His dedication to public safety was matched by few. Jimmy’s dedication should be an inspiration to us all, and his spirit will ride with us all – whether working a radio or riding a fire engine," acting Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor said.  In lieu of flowers, the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department will set up a scholarship fund for Jimmy’s 11-year-old son, Tommy. Any flowers that are sent should be delivered by …

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Friends and Family Gather to Remember Justin DeSha-Overcash

Friends recall a funny, intelligent and caring young man with a bright future.

The Memorial Chapel at the University of Maryland was filled Thursday evening with hundreds of friends of Justin DeSha-Overcash, the 22-year-old who was shot to death in his home after an attempted robbery went awry. Friends from throughout the victim’s life stepped up to the pulpit to share stories and reminisce. Some talked about his work ethic, others talked about his passion for music, but all of them spoke of his kind heart. Upon searching the victim's home, police found a scale and marijuana, and said that DeSha-Overcash’s chosen lifestyle likely lead to his death. His mother, Karen DeSha, has vigorously denied that assertion. “I will continue to strive for my son to regain his honor,” she said. Rather, his mother spoke of her son as…

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Shooting Victim was a 'Bright Kid' With a 'Promising Future'

Justin DeSha-Overcash was a hard worker and a genuine person, former roommate says.

If the headlines are to be believed, Justin DeSha-Overcash was notable for only one thing: he was a drug dealer, and he had it coming. But to those who knew him, DeSha-Overcash was a sharp kid and a genuinely caring guy who treated everyone he encountered with courtesy and respect. On Wednesday afternoon, Dist. 1 Commander Maj. Robert Liberati confirmed that DeSha-Overcash was the victim of Tuesday's shooting on 38th Avenue, in what police said was likely an attempted robbery gone awry. DeSha-Overcash was 22-years-old and a full-time student at the University of Maryland. David Snyder, who lived with DeSha-Overcash two years ago in the house where the homicide took place, said DeSha-Overcash was soft-spoken but personable. Snyder is also …

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